FAQ

Also in Occupational Health Service:

Who, Where, What and Why

What is the Occupational Health Service (OHS)?
Why have I been referred?
What will happen when I arrive for my appointment?
What will be said in the report to my manager?
Who will see my health records?
Can I have a copy of the report from OHS to my manager?
Will OHS write to my GP or other specialist for information?
What if I have already returned to work?
What if I do not wish to attend an appointment at OHS?
What if I just cant make that particular appointment?

1> What is the Occupational Health Service (OHS)?
A: Grampian OHS is an independent advisory service, and our role throughout the area is to provide impartial advice in terms of fitness for work to your line manager (and to you). They are responsible for monitoring and controlling sickness absence, and staff. This advice is aimed at assisting employees to regain their good health and return to work.

2> Why have I been referred?
A: NHS Grampian has a sickness absence procedure which requires managers to refer staff experiencing prolonged or frequent sickness absence. Your manager should have discussed the purpose of the referral with you. Normally an OHS appointment should lead to advice to you and your manager regarding the likely length of sickness absence, the effects of your ill health on your work, and suggest rehabilitation approaches easing you back into the workplace where appropriate.

3>    What will happen when I arrive for my appointment?
A: Our helpful and experienced Administration staff will see you when you enter the department, and are there to help in any way they can. When you meet the Occupational Health Nurse or Doctor they will introduce themselves to you and explain the purpose of the assessment. If a physical examination is desirable, such as for staff suffering from back pain, this will be explained. The Doctor or Nurse will then ask you for your consent to proceed with the assessment.

4>    What will be said in the report to my manager?
A: While seeking your consent for assessment the areas that may be included in a report to your manager will be discussed in detail. In general this may include the likely length of absence, the day-to-day effect of any permanent or short-term disability and possibly advice on restrictions to normal duties which may assist you in maintaining attendance or help in your rehabilitation and earlier return to work.

5>    Who will see my health records?
A: The standard of confidentiality for records held by your GP also applies to Occupational Health records. Consequently neither your manager nor Human Resources staff has access to your records. Details of your records will only be released at your request or, in exceptional circumstances, as a legal or ethical requirement.

6>    Can I have a copy of the report from OHS to my manager?
A: Unless you request otherwise this will usually be sent to you as a matter of course.

7>    Will OHS write to my GP or other specialist for information?
A: If the nurse or doctor thinks a report would be useful the reasons for this will be discussed with you before any contact is made. Your right to read any such report will be explained to you at this time.

8>    What if I have already returned to work?
A: There may still be a need for an Occupational Health appointment: please discuss this with your manager, or feel free to use the contact page to ask us anything you need to know.

9>What if I do not wish to attend an appointment at OHS?
A: If you are worried about attending your appointment, please phone Occupational Health to discuss these concerns on ext 53663.

10>What if I just can't make that particular appointment?
A: Please inform the Occupational Health Department if you are unable to attend an appointment as early as possible in order that your appointment can be offered to another member of staff- cancellations should be made at least 48 hours before appointments. Your appointment can be rescheduled for you at a more convenient time.